Prebiotics are considered beneficial to health owing to positive effects upon the gut microbiota (GM). These effects on the GM include stimulating the growth of beneficial species and increasing short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production (1). Accumulating evidence suggests that the putative health benefits associated with seaweed consumption may be, in part, owing to their effects on the GM(2). The red seaweed Palmaria palmata is a source of xylan, a β(1–3) and β(1–4) D-xylose polysaccharide. Given that xylo-oligosaccharides are a recently accepted prebiotic (3), the aim of this investigation was to assess the prebiotic potential of xylan from Palmaria palmata using an in-vitro fermentation gut model. Fibres were subjected to an in-vitro digestion and underwent in-vitro batch culture fermentation (MicroMatrix) over 24 hours. Fermentation vessels were inoculated using a pooled faecal slurry (5% v/v), prepared from six healthy volunteers. Xylan fibre (n = 4) was compared to Cellulose (negative control, n = 8) and Synergy 1 (positive control, n = 8). Changes to GM composition was determined using qPCR (total bacteria, Lactobacilli, and Bifidobacteria), and MiSeq 16S rRNA sequencing. Short chain fatty acid analysis was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The differential abundance of taxa between fermentation substrates was determined using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe). A permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PerMANOVA) was used to determine statistical differences of beta diversity whilst treatment associated differences of short chain fatty acids were determined using an unpaired Mann-Whitney U Test. Xylan altered GM composition at Phylum, Family and Genus taxonomic levels, notably a significant reduction in the Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio (p = 0.004). Both 16S sequencing data and qPCR analysis revealed a significant increase in Bifidobacteria relative to cellulose, where the effect was comparable to Synergy 1. No significant differences in microbiota diversity were noted for either Xylan or Synergy 1 in comparison to the cellulose control. Xylan was shown to significantly modulate GM activity through increased short chain fatty acid production with increased acetate, propionate and butyrate. The evidence gained from this study suggests that Xylan from Palmaria palmata is a fermentable fibre with potential prebiotic characteristics, and therefore warrants further investigation in humans.

This research was funded under the National Development Plan, through the Food Institutional Research Measure, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland (13/F/511) and a Northern Ireland Department of Education and Learning PhD scholarship to Paul Cherry.

Iodine is an essential micronutrient and an integral part of the thyroid hormones. In women of childbearing age, the estimated average iodine requirement is 95 μg/day and the recommended daily intake is 150 μg/day. While severe iodine deficiency poses reproductive risks, including infertility and abortions, the potential impact of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency on subfecundity is unknown.

We examined whether iodine intake was associated with risk of subfecundity (i.e. > 12 months trying to get pregnant) in a large cohort of mild-to-moderately iodine deficient women.

Women enrolled in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study in gestational week 15 were asked to report whether the pregnancy was planned and how many months the couple had sexual relations without any contraception before getting pregnant. Information about time to pregnancy, maternal characteristics and iodine intake was available for 56,416 planned pregnancies. The median (interquartile range) time to pregnancy was 1.5 (0.5–6.0) months and the prevalence of subfecundity was 10.8%). We used iodine intake assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire administered in pregnancy as a proxy for long-term (pre-pregnancy) iodine intake. We used logistic regression to estimate the association between iodine intake and subfecundity, using flexible modelling with restricted cubic splines, and adjusted for maternal age, BMI, parity, education, smoking status, energy intake and fiber intake. The median calculated iodine intake was 121 μg/day and the median urinary iodine concentration in a subsample of n = 2795 women was 69 μg/L.

The prevalence of subfecundity was lowest for iodine intakes ~100 μg/day and increased at lower intakes (p overall = 0.005). Compared to an intake of 100 μg/day (reference), intakes ~75 μg/day was associated with 5% (95%CI: 1%, 9%) higher prevalence and intakes ~50 μg/day with 14% (95%CI: 4%, 26%) higher prevalence. Use of dietary supplements was recorded only for the last 6 months prior to conception and women were included in the analysis regardless of their reported supplement use. In a sensitivity analysis, we excluding women who reported iodine-containing supplement use in the period 26–9 weeks before conception and the result remained unchanged. We also modelled time to pregnancy by Cox regression, and the result was consistent with the result for subfecundity.

The only good dietary sources of iodine in Norway are milk and white fish, and many women of fertile age have low intakes of these food items. This study shows that low habitual iodine intake may be a risk factor for subfecundity.

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of dietary-lifestyle patterns (DLPs) with adiposity and metabolic abnormalities in young Polish men. The cross-sectional study included 367 men 19–40-year-old. Dietary and lifestyle behaviours were determined with food frequency questionnaire (Jezewska-Zychowicz et al. 2018, http://www.knozc.pan.pl). DPLs were derived with Principal Component Analysis. Body size and composition was assessed using measuring tapes and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method. Adiposity was determined by the assessment of excessive body weight (body mass index, BMI = 25–29.9kg/m2 for overweight and ≥ 30kg/m2 for obesity), body-fat content (percentage body fat, %BF > 25%), central obesity status (waist circumference, WC > 102cm) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM < 31kg/m2). Metabolic abnormalities were determined if parameters exceeded: 100mg/dL for fasting blood glucose (FBG), 150mg/dL for triglycerides (TG), 200mg/dL for total cholesterol (TC) and at least one component of blood pressure (BP) was above the norm (SBP ≥ 130mmHg or/and DBP ≥ 80mmHg). Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and verify the association between variables. Four DLPs were derived, explaining 33% of the variance. Greater adherence (upper vs. bottom tertile) to “Protein food, fried-food and recreational physical activity” (DLP1) and “Healthy diet, activity at work, former smoking” (DLP4) patterns was associated with higher odds of being overweight (odds ratio, OR = 2.12, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI: 1.15–3.89; 3.05,1.69–5.53) but with high SMM (2.62, 1.53–4.49; 3.27, 1.91–5.59) and lower odds of central obesity (0.36, 0.16–0.83; 0.30, 0.12–0.74) and high body-fat content (0.22, 0.11–0.43; 0.37, 0.19–0.72). In addition, men from the upper tertile of DLP1 had lower odds of increased TC (0.43, 0.24–0.75). Greater adherence to “Sandwiches and convenience foods” pattern (DPL2) was associated with higher odds of central obesity (3.36,1.38–8.12), high body-fat content (3.69, 1.88–7.24) and high TC (2.50, 1.47–4.59) and lower odds of high SMM (0.54,0.32–0.90). Greater adherence to “Fast foods and stimulants” pattern (DLP3) was associated with higher odds of general and central obesity (2.56,1.00–6.56; 3.54, 1.53–8.19), high body-fat content (4.47, 2.05–9.73), but not with metabolic abnormalities. No associations between upper tertiles of DLPs and FBG, TG and BP were found. The clustering of dietary and lifestyle behaviours in men revealed that healthy diet attempts combined with active lifestyle, at work or leisure time, reduced risk of adiposity and metabolic abnormalities, despite some unhealthy components, former smoking or fried-food consumption. The study strengthens previous findings that unhealthy dietary behaviours have an adverse effect on adiposity outcomes and metabolic health, potentially through the mechanisms associated with central obesity.

Iodine is an essential micronutrient in thyroid hormone synthesis and physical and mental development. Iodine deficiency has historically been a problem in New Zealand. Two government initiatives were introduced: 1) mandatory fortification of all bread (except organic) with iodised salt (2009); 2) provision of a subsidised iodine supplement for all pregnant and breastfeeding women (2010). Since these initiatives, the majority of adults and children have achieved adequate iodine status. However, iodine status among breastfeeding women and their infants is unknown. This observational follow-up cohort study recruited 87 breastfeeding women, aged 16 years and over, with a healthy term singleton infant, in the Manawatu region, New Zealand. Women were recruited at 3 months postpartum; and followed up at 6 and 12 months postpartum. A maternal questionnaire investigated supplement use before and after delivery, iodine nutritional knowledge, and demographic information. Maternal spot urine, breastmilk, and infant spot urine samples were collected and iodine concentrations determined using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Iodine-containing supplement use was recorded in the 24 hours before biological sample collection. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check the normality of the data. Iodine data were analysed using non-parametric Mann Whitney U test (2-tailed).Thirty-five (40%) women used iodine-containing supplements during breastfeeding. Median urine iodine concentration (UIC) was 82 (46, 157) μg/L, below the WHO cut-off value of 100 μg/L for breastfeeding women. Median infant UIC was 115 (69, 182) μg/L, above the WHO cut-off value of 100 μg/L. Median maternal UIC was significantly higher for supplement users than non-users (111(44, 240) vs 62(42, 102) μg/L; p = 0.021]. Median infant UIC was significantly higher for supplement users than non-users (150(97, 193) vs 86(53, 171) μg/L; p = 0.045]. Median breastmilk iodine concentration (BMIC) was 69 (52, 119) μg/L, lower than recommended (75 μg/L). Median BMIC was significantly higher for supplement users than non-users [83(67, 168) vs 62(48, 82) μg/L; p = 0.000]. Overall, iodine status within this sample of breastfeeding women remains inadequate at 3 months postpartum. Users of iodine containing supplements and their infants achieved recommended iodine UIC concentrations; however, non-users and their infants had inadequate status. Despite recommendations that all breastfeeding women use iodine supplements, supplement use was low (only 40%). Further work is require to investigate if current iodine status affects thyroid function. Alternative strategies are also required to ensure breastfeeding women and their infants have adequate iodine.

Dietary protein is critical for normal growth and development through its contribution of essential amino acids. In high-resource settings, protein intakes are generally adequate. Previous studies have suggested that higher protein intakes in infancy and early childhood are associated with higher body mass index in later childhood.

This analysis was performed in a subgroup of 2-year-old children (n = 468) with detailed dietary intake data (2-d weighed food record) participating in an extensively-characterised, prospective birth cohort, the Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study (n = 2183). Body weight and height were measured at 2- and 5-years, and indices of body composition (fat mass, fat free mass) were obtained at 5 years in a subgroup of 295 children. Total protein intake was estimated at 2-years and the contribution of animal and plant sources to total protein intake was quantified. Children were split into thirds of protein intake (as % total energy, %TE) and anthropometry and body composition at 5 years was compared across groups. The relationship between protein intake (total and animal sources) and BMI-SDS, fat mass index-SDS and fat free mass index-SDS was explored in multivariate linear regression models, adjusted for common confounders (energy intake, gestational age, duration of breastfeeding, birthweight-SDS, maternal education).

Mean (SD) daily protein intake was 41.3 (11.2) g/d, representing 16.1 %TE (girls: 16.2 %TE; boys: 15.9 %TE, P = 0.202) and all children met EFSA average requirement and population reference intake thresholds. Meat (25%), cows’ milk (22%), breads (7%), yoghurt (6%), breakfast cereals (6%) and cheese (5%) were key sources of protein intake in toddlers. The majority of dietary protein intake was from animal sources (69%).

Girls with high %TE from protein [mean (SD): 19.7 (2.6) %TE] were significantly heavier and taller at 5 years than their counterparts [low: 13.1 (1.4) %TE; medium: 16.0 (0.7) %TE], and had significantly higher fat free mass, fat free mass index and total body bone area (indicative of body size), but not fat mass. When adjusted for confounders in multivariate regression models, no association was observed between total protein intake and BMI-SDS, fat mass index-SDS or fat free mass index-SDS at 5 years.

Children with high animal protein intakes (as %TE) had significantly higher fat free mass than their low and medium group counterparts; however, when adjusted for height and other confounders, no association was observed.

Protein intakes in early childhood were associated with larger body size, but not BMI or body composition at 5-years.

Vitamin K has important physiological functions which relate to blood coagulation (its classical role), bone health, inhibition of arterial calcification, as well as anti-inflammatory effects. National nutrition survey data have shown that over half of all adults in Ireland and the UK have low vitamin K1 intakes (£1 μg/kg body weight/d). Vitamin K biofortification of food may be an important complementary food-based approach for improving vitamin K intakes. Our study aimed to explore the feasibility of producing vitamin K-biofortified eggs via increasing the vitamin K3 content of the hen diet, and to examine any effects on hen performance and egg/eggshell quality parameters. A 12-week hen feeding trial was conducted in the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK. Hyline chickens (n = 128) were randomized into 4 treatment (T) groups (n = 32 hens/group) and fed diets containing 3 (T1-industry standard), 12.9 (T2), 23.7 (T3) and 45.7 (T4) mg vitamin K3/kg of feed. Hens were provided feed ad libitum and feed intake was recorded weekly. Eggs were collected daily and weighed. While egg quality and vitamin K content was assessed at week 0, 4, 6, 8 and 12, the trial endpoint (week 12) data was prioritized for the current analysis. Total vitamin K content (i.e., vitamin K1 plus menaquinone (MK)-4 and MK-7) of composite samples (n = 12 eggs/treatment), measured using a novel, sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method at Teagasc, increased from 22.4 μg/100 g (whole egg) in T1 (control and commercial level of vitamin K3) to 57.8 μg/100 g in T4. MK-4 was the most abundant form of vitamin K found in the eggs. Eggshell weight and eggshell thickness in T2 and T3 (but not T4) were significantly higher than in T1 (by 20–28%, P < 0.05). Likewise, based on colourimetric assessment, yellowness (parameter b*) of the egg yolk in all three biofortified groups was significantly higher compared to T1 (by 27–45%, P < 0.05). Haugh unit of the eggs and hen performance parameters, such as feed intake, feed conversion ratio and egg production, were unaffected by vitamin K-biofortification. In conclusion, increasing the level of addition of vitamin K3 to hen feed significantly increased the total vitamin K content of eggs, and without any evidence of negative effects on egg quality or hen performance. Consumption of an average sized (60 g) vitamin K-biofortified egg could contribute an additional 35 μg total vitamin K. The effects on eggshell parameters could be of importance in terms of revenue loss due to breakages.

Berries are one of the most commonly consumed sources of bioactive polyphenols and these compounds may exert protective effects against initiation of colorectal cancer (CRC) by reducing DNA damage. The inverse correlation between fruit and vegetable consumption and the incidence of CRC is well established, hence the role of berry derived bioactive phytochemicals in promotion of gut health is of interest. Ileostomy studies provide a unique insight into food digestion, allowing identification of physiologically relevant dietary phytochemicals and their metabolites. Here, we hypothesised that physiologically relevant levels of Italian wild strawberry metabolites exiting the ileum would be both bioavailable and would in turn exert positive effects on gut health markers.

Five ileostomists completed a wild strawberry feeding study (11/NI/0112), ileal fluid was collected pre (0 h) and post (8 h) consumption of strawberries (225 g) and assessed for phytochemical composition by LCMSn. We simulated the interaction of the ileal fluids with colonic microbiota over a 24 h period (0, 5,10, 24 hr) using in vitro gut fermenter models. Nutri-kinetic analysis using LCMSn demonstrated significant increases in the concentration of gut microbiota-mediated polyphenolic metabolites over time, including 3-(4hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid, 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid and urolithin A. While changes in the bacterial composition of the gut fermenter model(s) were monitored using fluorescent in situ hybridisation analysis (FISH) with validated probes for Total bacteria, Bifidobacterium genus, Clostridium histolyticum/perfringens group, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Eubacterium rectale group, Bacteroides, Lactobacilli and Enterobacteria; limited changes were observed.

Bioactivity of the post-berry consumption ileal fermentates was assessed on two colonocyte cell lines (HT29 and CCD841 CON (normal)) using the oxidative challenge COMET assay. Post-berry ileal fermentate (24 h) from all five ileostomists significantly (p < 0.01) decreased DNA damage (expressed as %Tail DNA) in both HT29 cells (~45%) and CCD841 cells (~25%) compared to untreated controls.

To conclude, strawberry phytochemicals were available for colonic fermentation following ileal digestion and human microbiota-mediated fermentation which subsequently increased overall levels of polyphenolic metabolites, the post berry fermentates were demonstrated to reduce DNA damage in colonocytes.

Methods to stimulate appetite in the sick or elderly remains a challenge with few safe therapeutic options. Ghrelin is an orexigenic hormone, increasing appetite and subsequent food intake. It has received considerable attention as a therapeutic target to stimulate food intake in patients with anorexia. The identification of food-grade bioactives with proven orexigenic effects would mark significant progress in the treatment of disease-related malnutrition. This study therefore investigated the effects of two milk-derived ghrelinergic peptides on appetite and energy intake in healthy humans.

A single-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-arm (placebo, casein bioactive MF1145 and whey bioactive UL-2-141) cross-over trial was conducted in healthy male volunteers. Participants received 26 mg/kg of both the bioactives and placebo. The main outcome measures were energy & protein intake from a set breakfast and ad libitum lunch and subjective appetite sensations as assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). Basal and postprandial levels of active ghrelin (AG) were measured. Dietary intakes were analysed using Nutritics software. Statistical analyses were performed in R.

Overall, 22 male participants (mean age 27 years) were included, average BMI was 24.6 kg/m2, (19.8 to 30.2 kg/m2). Mean energy and protein intakes at lunch when treated with placebo were 1343 kcal (95% CI: 1215–1471 kcal) and 74 g (95% CI: 66–81 g), respectively. Energy and protein intakes were not significantly different from placebo for either treatment (p = 0.918, p = 0.319 for UL-2-141 and p = 0.889, p = 0.959 for MF1145, respectively). Similarly, appetite, hunger and satiety responses on VAS were not significantly different from placebo for either treatment. AG peak post-lunch on placebo was 653 pg/ml (95% CI: 511–794 pg/ml). Treatment with UL-2-141 resulted in 139 pg/ml reduction in post-prandial AG compared to placebo and treatment with MF1145 resulted in 114 pg/ml reduction compared to placebo. This pattern was significant for both treatments (p = 0.021 and p = 0.045, respectively) however when controlling for fasting-AG, the pattern was no longer significant (p = 0.590 and p = 0.877 respectively). Pre-prandial AG peaks were not significantly different across treatments.

While these peptides have previously demonstrated ghrelinergic effects in rats, no effect on appetite or food intake in humans was identified by this study. This may be attributable to the small sample size or low dose. However, since healthy adults are often not in tune with their own physiological hunger, they may not respond strongly to simple physiological modulators and repeating the study in subjects with established anorexia may be prudent.